2022-2023 Advocacy Bulletins

2022-2023 Advocacy Bulletins | ANA Equity & Advocacy Bulletin by Julia Chen, PhD

APRIL 2022 BULLETIN

Dear ANA Community,

Please see the April 2022 Equity & Advocacy Bulletin below. Our committee will be sending out regular bulletins highlighting recent events and advocacy efforts that we have been tracking. You can also find our updated resources as well as past Equity Bulletins on the ANA website. Feel free to email us at asianadvocacy@gmail.com with ideas/suggestions for future bulletins. 

APRIL 2022 | ANA Equity & Advocacy Bulletin by Julia Chen, PhD

We want to start this month’s bulletin by shedding light on the recent bill passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives that would make any doctor performing an abortion guilty of committing a felony, punishable for up to 10 years in prison. Of note, this law does not only restrict access to abortion services for Oklahomans, but also to the large number of Texans who are seeking out-of-state abortion care following the Texas ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which passed in September 2021. The Oklahoma law is one in a string of recently proposed, and some successfully passed, bills restricting abortion rights across the country, which has raised serious concerns about the potential overturning or weakening of Roe v. Wade. In the U.S., anti-abortion lawmakers have enacted nearly 500 state laws restricting abortion access over the past decade, leaving 90% of counties without a single abortion provider. Such restrictions disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous, and people of color, young people, people with disabilities, and those with low incomes or living in rural areas. As we stand in solidarity with all those affected by these laws, we remind ourselves that continued advocacy is necessary to counter continued threats to human rights and to help protect our most vulnerable. Stay informed about the status of abortion restrictions and protections across the country, and consider these tools to take action. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday, April 26, 2022, 10:00-11:30 AM EST. The Enduring Relationship of Early Life Poverty and the Development of Brain Structure and Function – Webinar by Deanna M. Barch, Ph.D., hosted by NAN. 1.5 CE Credits. Register here.

Monday, May 9th, 2022, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM PST. Ethics & Equity in Neuropsychology: Practical and Practice-Based Methods to Increase Both Business Growth and Community Access Among Diverse Populations – Webinar by Anita Hamilton, PhD, ABPP, hosted by the Pacific Northwest Neuropsychological Society. Learn how clinicians can expand practical models of equity that are feasible from a business standpoint and discuss how current models are obstructive to equal access among diverse populations. Register here.

Saturday, May 14th, 2022, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm PST. Ally or Accomplice? The Human Cost of Dismantling Racism in Psychology – Webinar by Theopia Jackson Ph.D., hosted by the Marin County Psychological Association. 2 CE credits. Register here.

OPPORTUNITIES

AACN Conference Travel Scholarships: Regardless of whether they help with conference operations, Student Members who plan to attend on-site can also apply for $500 Travel Scholarships. This year AACN increased the number of scholarships to 16. The award money can be used to offset the cost of meeting attendance, including conference registration, travel, lodging, and meals. Applicants can apply under the scholarship categories of Diversity or Unrestricted. Students early in their training, including undergraduates to early doctoral students are also encouraged to apply. Travel Scholarship Applications are due April 25, 2022. Submit here.

Neuropsychology Journal Mentored Review Program for Historically Excluded Groups: Neuropsychology, in concert with the American Psychological Association Publishing, is offering a mentorship program specifically geared to promote and support participation by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from historically excluded, equity-deserving groups, including women, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, Indigenous people, and scholars with disabilities. The mentorship program has several goals: 1) To enhance students’ and trainees’ paper reviewing skills through mentorship; 2) To enhance students’ and trainees’ professional development and knowledge of the review process; 3) To create a pathway to train the next generation of researchers in neuropsychology to assume editorial board positions; 4) To increase involvement of students from historically excluded, equity-deserving groups in science and the peer review process.

Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows without an onsite mentor can request to be matched with a mentor by emailing Dr. Yeates at kyeates@ucalgary.ca. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis. Please send Dr. Yeates a brief letter of interest that includes information about any previous experience with reviewing and areas of interest/expertise, as well as a current CV.

ANA OPT Task Force: To better support the international trainees and professionals in our field, the ANA advocacy and student committee has joined forces and formed a task force to better understand and address the limitations of the 1-year Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment authorization often used by international trainees/professionals for post-doctoral training. The task force is currently collecting information on the possibility for programs to convert their CIP code to a STEM one. If you and/or your program has converted (or plans to convert) existing CIP code to a STEM code that would meet the criteria for OPT extension, please backchannel to Doris Hong (doris.hong.111@gmail.com) and/or Elizabeth Choi (ewmchoi@gmail.com).

LISTEN/WATCH/READ

Screening and enrollment of underrepresented ethnocultural and educational populations in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) – Ashford et al., 2022

Addressing the teen mental health crisis: 

• A cry for help: CDC warns of a steep decline in teen mental health – By Moriah Balingit
• Later school start times eyed to address youth mental health crisis – By Meredith Deliso

Life Satisfaction and Social and Emotional Support Among Asian American Older Adults – Shimkhada, R., Tse, H. W., & Ponce, N. A, 2022

To add to your bookshelf/wishlist:

• Cultural Diversity in Neuropsychological Assessment Developing Understanding through Global Case Studies – Edited By Farzin Irani
• Understanding Cross-Cultural Neuropsychology Science, Testing, and Challenges – Edited By Alberto Luis Fernández, Jonathan Evans

LEGISLATION/POLICY: TAKE ACTION/CONTINUE MONITORING

Stay informed about ramifications of the HB 1557 (“Don’t say gay”) bill and legal action taken against it

Join APA to call on Senate to address mental health in schools: Ask the Senate to enact the Mental Health Services for Students Act (S. 1841), introduced by Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), and the Comprehensive Mental Health in Schools Pilot Program Act (S.2730), introduced by Senator Alex Padilla

(D-CA). The bill passed the House last year by a large bipartisan margin, 349-74. Now, it is time for the Senate to act and your advocacy can help get this critical legislation signed into law.

Connecticut joins a growing list of states pushing for Asian American studies in K-12 schools, following suit after New Jersey and Illinois.

RESOURCES

Inter Organizational Practice Committee (IOPC) strategies for forming and maintaining an effective healthcare advocacy committee, and engaging in effective healthcare advocacy

Join the APA Psychology Advocacy Network to stay up to date on important legislative changes by registering for the newsletter and action alerts here. 

Interested in political advocacy and not sure where to start? Visit this resource guide from the American Psychological Association about advocacy work in psychology and this video on how to get involved in advocacy work!

ANA Advocacy Committee

Co-Chairs:  Rowena Ng, PhD & Shehroo Pudumjee, PhD

Members: Sana Arastu, M.S.; Julia Chen, PhD; Cardinal Do, M.S.; Yue (Doris) Hong, PsyD; Jody Lanza-Gregory; Iris Miao; Ashley Nguyen

Email: asianadvocacy@gmail.com

Website: https://www.the-ana.org/advocacy-committee

FEBRUARY 2023 BULLETIN

Please see the February 2023 Equity & Advocacy Bulletin below. Our committee will be sending out regular bulletins highlighting recent events and advocacy efforts that we have been tracking. You can also find our updated resources as well as past Equity Bulletins on the ANA website. Feel free to email us at asianadvocacy@gmail.com with ideas/suggestions for future bulletins. FEBRUARY 2023 | ANA Equity & Advocacy Bulletin by Rowena Ng, PhD and Shehroo Pudumjee, PhD

As many in the AAPI members were ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year late Saturday evening, our community was again shaken by a mass shooting that occurred in a majority Asian American neighborhood. This senseless tragedy strikes during a period of time when AAPI hate, discrimination and violence has been on the rise, leaving many community members traumatized, re-traumatized and/or fraught with grief.  In addition to the recent statement released which outlines resources for those affected by the recent mass shootings, the  ANA Executive Committee and Advocacy Committee will also have an open office hour on February 8th 6PM EST (https://partners.zoom.us/j/4259075354) to offer a safe space for processing, self-reflection and healing. Finally, we would like to highlight mental health resources for community members affected by gun violence and information about actions focused on violence prevention below.

RESOURCES

The Violence Project – A nonprofit, nonpartisan research center aimed at using data to inform policy and practice to reduce violence in our communities. https://www.theviolenceproject.org/

Violence Policy Center- Organization that works to stop gun violence by research, education advocacy and collaborations.  https://vpc.org/

Asian Mental Health Collective- Organization aimed to normalize and destigmatize mental health, and increase accessibility of culturally responsive mental health services to the AAPI community https://www.asianmhc.org/

LISTEN/WATCH/READ

·         Lunar New Year – The Lunar New Year is a celebration of the beginning of the new lunisolar calendar year, which consists of moon cycles. The holiday is observed across multiple days (typically 15 or more days) of festivities, and is commonly celebrated in east Asian cultures and Vietnamese and Chinese communities. In Chinese culture, the Chinese zodiac corresponds with the lunar calendar, such that an animal with a set of attributes are assigned to each year in a 12-year cycle. This lunar year is represented by the year of the rabbit, which is associated with peace, self-reflection, tranquility and good fortune. For more information about the lunar new year and associated traditions, see resources below:

o    https://time.com/6248736/lunar-new-year-celebrations/

o    http://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/lunar-new-year-2023-illustrated-guide-hnk-intl/index.html

o    https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/year-rabbit-symbolize-rcna65578

·         Women’s education in Afghanistan – In December 2022 the Afghan government suspended university education for all women in the country citing religious and cultural reasons. This followed girls being unable to obtain secondary education in March. Although this mandate has received international criticism, it remains in effect and the flagrant abandonment of women’s rights in the region continues.  Further information can be found at

o    https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/20/asia/taliban-bans-women-university-education-intl/index.html

o    https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64045497

o    https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/un-says-taliban-is-divided-on-whether-or-not-to-restore-womens-rights

Upcoming Events

April 27-30 – American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology 9^th Annual Conference “Contemporary Complexities in a Diverse Pediatric Neuropsychology Practice”—Among all the excellent presentations scheduled, here are some that may be of particular interest:

·         Culturally Informed ASD Assessments (April 27, 7-9AM PST)

·         Keynote Presentation: Minnesota Conference Update (April 27, 4-5PM PST)

·         Culturally Sensitive Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Evaluations (April 29, 7-9AM PST))

·         Providing Culturally Informed Feedbacks (April 29, 1-3PM PST)

Need Continuing Education Units? Check out National Academy of Neuropsychology’s Home Assessment OnDemand workshops that include:

·         Culturally-Informed Evaluations for Autism Spectrum Disorder by Regina Regilda (1.5 CE credits)

·         Evolving Neuropsychological Considerations and Case Studies of Individuals who Identify as Transgender and Gender Non-Binary/Nonconforming by Michelle Cuervas, Krista Freece, & Jeffrey Ryan Murray (1.5 CE credits)

·         Health Disparities and Structural Racism: Assuring the Vital Future of Neuropsychology Through Evidence and Cultural Relevance by Monica Rivera Mindt (1.5 CE credits)

·         Sociocultural Considerations in the Neuropsychological Assessment of American Indians and Alaska Natives: Theory, Research and Practice by Steven Verney, Lynette Abrams-Silva (1.25 CE credits)

·         Neuropsychological Assessment of Hispanics Residing in the US: Ingles, Español o dos? (English, Spanish or both?) by Antonio Puente, Adriana Strutt (1.5 CE credits)

OPPORTUNITIES

APA Congressional and Executive Branch Fellowships (2023-2024 term) – Applications are open for APA Congressional and Executive Branch Fellowships aimed to provide psychologists experiences to learn about public policies, to integrate psychological knowledge in government and to expand awareness about interactions between psychologists and the government.  Applications are due January 30, 2023. Information about the application process can be found here.

AWARDS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS

·         The Clinical Neuropsychologist published a special issue on Asian Neuropsychology. There are several publications from our ANA community and committees that are already available:

o    Fujii, D., Kaseda, E.T., Haneda, A., Kuroda, H., Machizawa, S., Okamura, Y.,…& Thaler, N.S. (2023) Sociodemographic, cultural, linguistic, and test selection considerations for clinical neuropsychological assessment with Japanese and Japanese-American patients in the United States. The Clinical Neuropsychologist. DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2022.2156395

o    Ng, R., Pudumjee, S.B., Arastu, S.F., Chen, J., Do, C., Hong, Y.,…& Wong, C.G. (2022) Continuing education in diversity and multicultural factors: Current state psychology board requirements and a call to action. The Clinical Neuropsychologist. DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2022.2160378

o    Porrselvi, A. P. (2022), TAM battery: Development and pilot testing of a Tamil computer-assisted cognitive test battery for older adults. The Clinical Neuropsychologist. DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2022.2156396

LEGISLATION/POLICY UPDATES

The U.S. Congress continues to increase representation from racial and ethnic minorities. Although there has been a trend in recent years of increasing racial and ethnic diversity in Congress, there are currently 133 senators/representatives who identify as a member of an ethnic and/or racial minority group. Of particular relevance to the ANA family, Asian Americans represent 4% of the House of Representatives and include 2 senators. This information and further details may be obtained at  https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2023/01/09/u-s-congress-continues-to-grow-in-racial-ethnic-diversity/  

ANA Advocacy Committee

Co-Chairs:  Rowena Ng, PhD & Shehroo Pudumjee, PhD

Members: Sana Arastu, MS; Julia Chen, PhD; Cardinal Do, MS; Yue (Doris) Hong, PsyD; Jody Lanza-Gregory; Iris Miao, PhD; Ashley Nguyen, PsyD

Email: asianadvocacy@gmail.com

Website: https://www.the-ana.org/advocacy-committee

APRIL 2023 BULLETIN

Dear ANA Community,

Please see the April 2023 Equity & Advocacy Bulletin below. Our committee will be sending out regular bulletins highlighting recent events and advocacy efforts that we have been tracking. You can also find our updated resources as well as past Equity Bulletins on the ANA website. Feel free to email us at advocacy@the-ana.org with ideas/suggestions for future bulletins. 

April 2023 | ANA Equity & Advocacy Bulletin by Cardinal Do, M.S.

We want to start this bulletin by highlighting continuing attacks on the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, in the United States. So far, more than 400 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced this year and have included measures to restrict healthcare for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, bathroom bans, and drag show bans. The ANA Advocacy committee unequivocally condemns these attacks on the LGBTQ+ community and we encourage everyone to continue to fight for the equal rights and protections of all marginalized individuals within this country. Please read through to the end of this newsletter to find resources for learning more about anti-LGBTQ+ policies and how to contact your elected officials to share your concerns on these matters. 

IN MEMORIAM

Dr. Karen Postal (June 5, 1970 – March 20, 2023) – Dr. Postal was a board-certified neuropsychologist who passed away in late March due to ovarian cancer. She was an exceptional leader and advocate in neuropsychology who made multiple important contributions to the field, including pioneering the AACN Relevance 2050 initiative, and her book on providing feedback to patients, Feedback that Sticks: The Art of Communicating Neuropsychological Assessment Results.

• Celebration of Life – Wednesday, May 17th from 4-5 pm Eastern (1-2 Pacific) – link to be provided at a later date (follow the SCN and AACN listservs for details)
• Memories of Karen Project – share messages and photos here or here

UPCOMING TRAINING/WEBINARS

CODAPAR Spring 2023 Webinar Series on Fostering Policy-Relevant Psychological Research

Series of 5 webinars discussing how to conduct policy-relevant research. For more information about the series and how to register, click here.

Trans Affirming Care and Practices Free Live Webcast

Free virtual workshop on April 18, 2023 at 12-2pm EST hosted by the Center for Collegiate Mental Health at Penn State University. For more information, click here.

“Psychological Science Explains Why Some Feel Threatened by Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiatives”

Webinar on April 19, 2023 at 3pm EST. For more information, click here.

ANA Webinar: Toward Inclusive Supervision

Two-part webinar series (on 05/16/2023 at 5pm EST; 06/20/2023 at 5pm EST) on guidelines and recommendations for inclusive supervision presented by Dr. Chrissy Lee. To register, click here.

CONFERENCES

American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology’s (AAPdN) 9th Annual Conference – April 27-30, 2023 – Virtual – “Contemporary Complexities in a Diverse Pediatric Neuropsychology Practice”

Click here for more information on how to register

American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN) – June 7-10, 2023 – Washington, DC

Registration is open until 05/31/2023 

Talks that may be of particular interest: 

Thursday June 8, 8-11am: The Minnesota 2022 Update Conference – Implications for Current Practice

Thursday June 8, 2-5pm: Positive and Negative Modifiers of Brain Health in Older Adults from Underrepresented Populations

Friday June 9, 8-11am: Providing Competent, Ethical, and Culturally Informed Supervision in Clinical Neuropsychology

Friday June 9, 11:15-12:45: SAC Workshop II: 2022 Minnesota Conference: Implications for Current and Future Learners in Neuropsychology

Friday June 9, 2-5pm: 31. Stepping into Action: The Role of Neuropsychologists in Social Justice Advocacy

OPPORTUNITIES

The Cultural Neuropsychology Council Co-Facilitator Team is expanding to include an Early Career position (less than 10 years from completion of neuropsychology postdoctoral fellowship).  We value the inclusion of Co-Facilitators from all stages of professional development.  We believe this will help us more effectively guide the CNC, as well as represent our community stakeholders. A Co-Facilitator must demonstrate 1) a clear commitment to fostering inclusive excellence in neuropsychology, 2)  have a strong vision for the future of the specialty, and 3) demonstrate leadership skills that foster the implementation of the CNC EDI 2030 Impact Plan. Experience with organizational leadership and familiarity with GDrive (Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Forms, Google Slides) is essential. Self-nominations from Early Career Neuropsychologists are welcome. The CNC is transforming neuropsychology by centering antiracism, inclusion, equity, diversity, access, and safety for all. If you have the passion, time, commitment, and vision to be a part of this Co-Facilitator Team, we enthusiastically look forward to receiving your self-nomination and application. Please step forward and send your CV to info@culturalnp.com along with completion of this CNC Early Career Co-Facilitator Nomination. Deadline to apply is May 19, 2023.

Neuropsychology Early Career Editorial Fellowship for historically excluded groups

Neuropsychology announces an opening for six early career Editorial Fellow positions, beginning July 1,

2023. The Editorial Fellowship program is specifically geared to promote and support participation by

early career scientists from historically excluded groups, to prepare them for editorial leadership. All applications should include the following: 1) an interest statement, 2) a curriculum vitae and 3) two letters of recommendation that speak to potential for leadership and dedication to the editorial process. Application materials are due to Dr. Yeates on April 14, 2022 and should be submitted as a single PDF file. Applications will be reviewed by the Editor, Associate Editors, and representatives of the partnering organizations. The top candidates will be notified of their selection by June 1, 2022. Address any questions to Dr. Yeates (kyeates@ucalgary.ca). 

The Karen Postal Outstanding Mentorship Award is a non-monetary award that recognizes a neuropsychologist who has shaped the future direction of clinical neuropsychology in an outstanding way by fostering the careers of neuropsychology students and colleagues. An honorary plaque will be presented each year at either the AACN conference or SCN conference (recipient’s choice). The organizations will alternate years funding that plaque (AACN on odd years of presentation, SCN on even years). Nominees must meet the following criteria: 1) Clinical neuropsychologist and member of either SCN or AACN; 2) Have significantly impacted the professional work and personal development of mentee(s) as illustrated in 2 testimonial letters and broadly evident in their vita; 3) Nominees will generally be individuals who have been teaching/working/mentoring/supervising in the field for at least 10 years, but it is possible that early career professionals could meet the spirit of the award and will certainly be considered. A SCN or AACN member or groups of members who are students or professionals may nominate a mentor for this award. A call for nominations will be sent to AACN and SCN members each Fall, with a nomination deadline 3-6 weeks post-announcement. The nomination materials should include: 1) two testimonial letters (max 2 pages, single-spaced each), 2) a recent copy of the nominee’s vita, and 3) a maximum of 4 supplemental letters from mentees that may be added in an appendix.

LISTEN/READ/WATCH/FOLLOW

Madore, M. R., Kaseda, E., Chin, L., Tan, A., Wong, C. G., Lee, J., Thaler, N., Gee, S., El-Dasouqi, H., & Irani, F. (2023). Future directions in neuropsychology: Training, education, clinical practice, and advocacy for Asians and Asian Americans. The Clinical Neuropsychologist. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2023.2192416 

Berrios-Siervo, G. M., Salinas, C. M., Bender, H. A., MacAllister, W. S., Vega, C., Boada, R., Strutt, A. M., & MacDonald, B. (2023). Culturally Informed Neuropsychological Evaluations in Pediatric Epilepsy: Evidence-Based Practice Considerations. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acac092

Twitter: @CHISMENeuro (A Collaborative Health Initiative for Spanish Multiculturally Education)

LEGISLATION/POLICY AND RESOURCES: TAKE ACTION/CONTINUE MONITORING

Resources to keep track of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation:

• https://www.aclu.org/legislative-attacks-on-lgbtq-rights
• https://translegislation.com/ 

Resources for finding and contacting your elected officials:

• https://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative
  • Also includes information on recent bills sponsored by each elected official
• https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
• https://transequality.org/state-action-center 
• https://emerson.edu/alumni/celebrate-pride-us/resources/trans-rights-day-action
  • Contains sample templates to use when contacting elected officials

In Solidarity,

ANA Advocacy Committee

Chair: Julia Chen, PhD

Members: Iris Miao, PhD; Ashley Nguyen-Martinez, PsyD; Cardinal Do, MS; Jody Lanza-Gregory

JUNE 2023 BULLETIN

Dear ANA Community,

Please see the Summer 2023 Equity & Advocacy Bulletin below. Our committee will be sending out regular bulletins highlighting recent events and advocacy efforts that we have been tracking. You can also find our updated resources as well as past Equity Bulletins on the ANA website. Feel free to email us at advocacy@the-ana.org with ideas/suggestions for future bulletins. 

Summer 2023 | ANA Equity & Advocacy Bulletin by Iris Miao, Ph.D.

We want to start this bulletin by recognizing and celebrating the rich diversity within the mental health community in the National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Every individual is entitled to culturally competent care that acknowledges and respects the intersection of our identities and experiences. The ANA Advocacy committee is committed to inclusivity and empathy while striving for more equitable and culturally competent approaches to providing neuropsychological services.

LEGISLATION/POLICY AND RESOURCES: TAKE ACTION/CONTINUE MONITORING

On June 29, 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that affirmative action policies at two colleges (Harvard University and the University of North Carolina) are illegal, with Chief Justice John Roberts’s acknowledgement of his preference for race-neutral admission policies. Overturning decades of precedents, this decision has significant implications for promoting diversity and equal opportunity in higher education, potentially reducing the representation of historically marginalized groups. This could further perpetuate social and economic disparities, as it may hinder progress in creating a level playing field for underrepresented communities. Asian Americans occupy a unique position in this matter with publicized narratives frequently overlooking the diversity within our communities. While some Asian American subgroups have been historically perceived as overrepresented in higher education, others face significant barriers and underrepresentation. We want to take a moment to reflect on the history of affirmative action and stay informed. “Equality requires acknowledgment of inequality.” – Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

TRAINING/WEBINARS

Neuropsychology Diversity Series: “Culturally Informed Interview for LGBTQIA Individuals” and “Sexual and Gender Minority Populations and Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia. On-demand talks by Dr Amanda Ortiz and Dr. Jason Flatt, hosted by California Psychological Association Division VIII. Free to watch here or receive 1 CE Credit via CPA.

Free monthly meetings for those who are applying to Ph.D. programs in Clinical Psychology. For more information and registration, click here.

Division 35 ECP Committee Webinar on Self-Advocacy and Negotiation – Friday July 7th, 4-5:30PM EST/3-4:30PM CST/2-3:30PM MST/1-2:30PM PST. 

Zoom link: https://roosevelt.zoom.us/j/95608765054?pwd=ZkZ5WGRBeG43UVIyOTg1RjlRbWdSZz09, Meeting ID: 956 0876 5054, Password: 755375

Advocacy is an important skill especially for ECPs who hold marginalized identities, and yet it is rarely talked about throughout graduate training. The ECP committee is therefore inviting a panel to discuss the experience and strategies of self-advocacy. We’ve invited Alexandra Zelin, an Associate Professor at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, to discuss her experience of self-advocacy as a psychologist and academic. Our other panelist Sachi Argabright is a finance professional and Asian American leader and mentor in a corporate setting. She will be sharing her insights and suggestions on negotiation and leadership.

CONFERENCES

American Psychological Association (APA) Annual Conference — August 3-5, 2023, Washington DC + Virtual

Click here for registration and programs can be found here.

Programs that may be of particular interest:

Thursday August 3, 8:30-9:20am: The Slow Violence of COVID-19 Anti-Asian Hate

Thursday August 3, 11-11:50am: Multicultural Supervision in a Rehabilitation Setting

Thursday August 3, 12-12:50pm: “You don’t have to be the target to be harmed”: Vicarious                Racism and Psychological Outcomes

Thursday August 3, 1-1:50pm: So What Do You Do Anyway at UCLA, Mijo?

Thursday August 3, 3-3:50pm: Development Validation of Digital Neuropsychological Measures for Early Detection of Cognitive Disorders in Diverse Populations

Friday August 4, 11-11:50am: Being the Change: Decreasing Burnout and Maximizing Effectiveness in Social Justice Work

Saturday, August 5, 8-8:50am: Navigating the territory of leadership for Asian immigrant women psychologists

Saturday, August 5, 9-9:50am: Resisting Anti-Asian Racism as Diverse Asian/Asian Americans: Toward Shared Liberation

Saturday, August 5, 2-2:50pm: Inclusive and Affirmative Assessment: Considerations for Gender Identity, Sexuality, and Disability

ANA 1^st Annual Research Day

Virtual Research Day on Friday, September 20, 2023. Abstract submission deadline is July 28, 2023,  and click here for more information.

OPPORTUNITIES

The ANA Education Committee is seeking speakers from ANA membership for the monthly webinar series. The webinar series offers an opportunity to gain valuable experience in public speaking and presentation skills. The Education Committee is happy to offer mentorship and/or feedback prior to the presentation. This opportunity is open to all ANA members, including students and trainees. If interested, please email the Education Committee (education@the-ana.org) with your CV, a possible topic/idea, and timeline to present.

The National Academy of Neuropsychology is now accepting applications for the Leadership Ambassador Development (LEAD) Program. This is a wonderful opportunity to develop leadership style with targeted sources and a personalized communication profile, as well as engage with past NAN presidents and a corporate trainer. More information can be found here. Deadline to apply is July 27, 2023.

The Women in Leadership (WIL) Committee of NAN invites applications for the Edith Kaplan Scholarship Award. All student members (post-graduate, graduate, or undergraduate) who have not previously received this scholarship are eligible to apply. Recipients are expected to assist with the registration desk at the WIL Event at the annual conference in Philadelphia. Scholarship recipients will receive free registration for the WIL Event and $450 to defray travel expenses. Find more information here.

APA Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) is now accepting applications for Racial and Ethnic Diversity (FRED) Scholarship. This funding opportunity (up to $1000) aims to support undergraduate students from traditionally underrepresented communities of color with a demonstrated desire to pursue a graduate degree in psychology (specifically, clinical and/or research). More information can be found here. Deadline to apply is July 31, 2023.

LISTEN/READ/WATCH/FOLLOW

Jain, A., Brooks, J. R., & Alford, C.C. (2023). Awareness of Racial and Ethnic Bias and Potential Solutions to Address Bias with Use of Health Care Algorithms. JAMA Health Forum. doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.1197

Kaseda, E.T., Arentoft, A., Bangen, K.J., Mahmood, Z., Thomas, K., Kim, S.H., Tan, A., Prieto, S., Dawson, E.L., Riegler K., Sullivan-Baca, E., & Ellison, R.L. (2023). Parental, caregiving, and family leave during clinical neuropsychology postdoctoral training: recommendations and guidelines from the Women in Neuropsychology (WIN) committee and Education Advisory Committee (EAC) of the Society for Clinical Neuropsychology (SCN; APA division 40). The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 1–15. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2023.2217673

Goings, T.C., Belgrave, F.Z., Mosavel, M., & Evans, C.B.R. (2023). An Antiracist Research Framework: Principles, Challenges, and Recommendations for Dismantling Racism Through Research. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research. https://doi.org/10.1086/720983

The Clinical Neuropsychologist, Volume 37, Issue 5 (2023): Neuropsychology of Asians and Asian Americans

Minority Mental Health Month – stay informed about initiatives addressing mental health access disparities on a national scale 

In Solidarity,

ANA Advocacy Committee

Chair: Julia Chen, PhD

Members: Iris Miao, PhD; Ashley Nguyen-Martinez, PsyD; Cardinal Do, MS; Jody Lanza-Gregory; Jay Patel, PhD; Lillian Ham, MS

AUGUST 2023 BULLETIN

Dear ANA Community,

Please see the August 2023 Equity & Advocacy Bulletin below. Our committee will be sending out regular bulletins highlighting recent events and advocacy efforts that we have been tracking. You can also find our updated resources as well as past Equity Bulletins on the ANA website. Feel free to email us at advocacy@the-ana.org with ideas/suggestions for future bulletins. 

August 2023 | ANA Equity & Advocacy Bulletin by Julia Chen, Ph.D.

We would like to dedicate this month’s bulletin to the communities devastated by the Hawaii wildfires. Last week, one of the deadliest wildfires in recent US history spread through parts of Maui, the Big Island, and Oahu. We continue to learn about the acute devastation of the wildfires as rescue efforts continue, as well as the long-lasting effects on the land, environment, and communities in Hawaii. We grieve the incalculable loss of life and symbols of Native Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific Islander culture and heritage damaged in these fires and we reflect on the continued consequences of severe climate conditions. If you are in a place to lend your support for communities affected by the wildfires, information can be found here.

LEGISLATION/POLICY AND RESOURCES

1. The data equity bill was signed into law in Massachusetts last week mandating that Massachusetts will allow state agencies to collect, organize, and assemble public data on major ethnic groups. This requires breaking down data into subgroups for all racial groups, thereby creating more visibility for the diverse experiences within communities.

2. In New York, “New York Attorney General Letitia James led a coalition of 16 attorneys general and New York City in calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expand language access for critical government alerts sent to cell phones, known as Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs). Following multiple severe weather emergencies in New York and across the country, Attorney General James and the coalition urge FCC to adopt its alternative proposal to use human translators, which are far more reliable, instead of machine translation, and to increase the number of available languages from 13 to at least 25… “Just in New York, 48 percent of the Asian population has limited English proficiency, and our community collectively speaks dozens of different languages. This makes language accessibility and representative translation services crucial, especially when it comes to emergency communications,” said Jo-Ann Yoo, Executive Director, Asian American Federation.” – from Office of the New York State Attorney General press release.

SUPPORT SPACES

1. The Clinical Neuropsychology Trainee Forum (CNTF) is sponsoring two virtual support spaces for students/trainees and early career professionals in clinical neuropsychology to discuss recent events related to training and education in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in our field. The CNTF is comprised of trainee representatives who hold leadership roles in participating organizations, including AACN and R2050, INS, SCN and ANST, NAN, ANA, SBN, HNS, QNS, and N2N. The purpose of these virtual support spaces is to offer an opportunity to process and discuss recent events while seeking and receiving peer support. CNTF representatives may also take anonymized feedback from attendees back to their respective parent organizations to communicate the current concerns and needs of the group. These spaces are not opportunities to engage in debate regarding the validity of DEIJ in neuropsychology education. Any bullying, harassment, or other inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.

Support Group 1: Thursday, August 17, 7-8 pm ET

Support Group 2: Wednesday, August 23, 12-1 pm ET

Please sign up using the following Google Form: https://forms.gle/pA3to4FVf4UT6gB18. A Zoom link will be emailed to you directly after you sign-up.

TRAINING/WEBINARS

1. “Impact with Pride: Leveraging Political Resources to Thwart Anti-LGBT Laws” hosted by APAGS Advocacy Coordinating Team and Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity.
   1. Thursday 8/17 at 9am PT | 12pm ET.
   2. This webinar will provide attendees with practical, applied strategies and hands-on activities for engaging in state-level policy advocacy. While the webinar is targeted towards graduate students in psychology, participants at all career levels are welcome to attend.
   3. Interested parties can register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__tYinWmiRD-MmNApVCA84w#/registration

2. Save the date: 3-part webinar series for culturally-relevant supervision with trainees of diverse backgrounds, presented by ANA, HNS, QNS, SBN, ANST, and WIN
   1. September 18, 2023, 5pm EST, 4pm CST, 2pm PST – Michael V. Ellis, PhD, ABPP: Competency-Based Clinical Supervision: Basics & Managing Ethical Risks
   2. October 13, 2023, 1pm EST, 12pm CST, 10am PST – Beatriz MacDonald, PhD., Adriana M. Strutt, PhD, ABPP, Jennifer Stinson, PhD, ABPP: Cultivating a Relevant Supervisory Space – Supervisors get Ready!
   3. November 8, 2023, 7pm EST, 6pm CST, 4pm PST – Anny Reyes, PhD., Ambar Perez Lao, MS, Ashley Nguyen-Martinez, PsyD, & Matthew Calamia, PhD: Navigating and Co-Creating Culturally Responsive Supervisory Spaces: Considerations for Trainees & Early Career Professionals

3. Save the dates for the Hispanic Heritage Month events by the Hispanic Neuropsychological Society
   1. Sept 20: Awards Ceremony
   2. Oct 5: Norm selection and application in socially responsible neuropsychological practice
   3. Oct 10: ¿Si Se Puede…o no? Navigating the straights and limitations of serving non-English speakers as a trainee in neuropsychology

4. Save the date for Taquitos de Sesos, hosted by Baylor College of Medicine (https://form.jotform.com/200445927145050)
   1. Aug 25th: Spanish Neuropsychology: Practice Considerations from Pre to Post Assessment (Dr. Stephanie Santiago)
   2. Sep 29th: Update to DSM-5-TR and Neurocognitive Disorders Supplement (Dr. Corwin Boake)
   3. Oct 27th:Neuropathology for Neuropsychologists (Dr. Erin Bigler)
   4. Nov 17th: Neuroimaging for Neuropsychologists: How to Increase Neuropsychological Test Interpretation Through Improved Understanding of Neuroimaging Findings (Dr. Erin Bigler)
   5. Jan 26th: Structurally Competent Neuropsychological Practice: What Is It and Why Do We Need It? (Dr. Kendra Anderson)
   6. Feb 23rd: Neuropsychological Assessment of Vietnamese-Speaking Patients with Suspected Dementia (Dr. Stephen McCauley)

CONFERENCES

1. INS 52nd Annual Meeting “Culture and Connectivity: Neuropsychology Without Borders” abstract submissions due September 1st at 11:59pm EST.

OPPORTUNITIES

1. Society for Personality and Social Psychology survey: Do you have advice about applying to doctoral and postdoc programs for students from underrepresented groups? The @SPSPGSC wants to hear from you! The Student Committee at SPSP.org publishes a monthly graduate newsletter, SPSPotlight, and we are surveying all faculty and members in academia and other industry professionals by completing this brief survey for an upcoming article. The survey should take 10-15 minutes to complete. The article will be published this Fall, and the working title is Tips on Applying to Social Psychology Doctoral and Postdoctoral Programs for Students from Underrepresented Groups. The future SPSPotlight article aims to share learnings on key information that may prove insightful for those prospective graduate students from underrepresented groups working towards the upcoming doctoral and postdoctoral application season, including BIPOC, Minorities, Individuals with Disabilities, First Generation, LGBTQ+, International, Older Adult Learners, and the Economically Disadvantaged. Complete the survey to share your insights.   

2. Asian Mental Health Project – Call for Stay In, Check-In Facilitators

Asian Mental Health Project is seeking facilitators for our weekly Stay In, Check-In series. The session occurs every Wednesday at 5:30 PM PST/8:30 PM EST and run for around 1.5 hours. Each facilitator can discuss any topic of their choice. Past topics include: coping with racial trauma, active muscle relaxation, balancing work and life, and more. Facilitators are ideally licensed mental health practitioners or in the process of becoming licensed. Sign up here.

LISTEN/READ/WATCH/FOLLOW

Rosenstein, L. D. (2023). Regulatory issues and ethical considerations in cross-cultural neuropsychology with a special emphasis on Limited English Proficiency. Applied Neuropsychology: Adult, 1-8.

Ahmed, T., Kumar, K., & Zhang, P. (2023). A systematic review of the status of neuropsychological research and dementia in South Asia. Discover Psychology, 3(1), 16.

Fujii, D. (2023). Centering Culture in Neuropsychological Training, Research, and Practice. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 38(3), 301-303.

VOICES UNHEARD: Uncovering the Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 on Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander and Southeast Asian American Youth

In Solidarity,

ANA Advocacy Committee

Chair: Julia Chen, PhD

Members: Iris Miao, PhD; Ashley Nguyen-Martinez, PsyD; Cardinal Do, MS; Jay Patel, PhD; Sofia Lesica, MA

OCTOBER 2023 BULLETIN

Dear ANA Community,

Please see the October 2023 Equity & Advocacy Bulletin below. Join us in welcoming our new members Jay Patel, PhD, Sofia Lesica, MA, and Ananya Samuel, MA. Find more information about our current members, their backgrounds, and positions here.

OCTOBER 2023 | ANA Equity & Advocacy Bulletin by Ashley Nguyen-Martinez, PsyD

CULTURE FACT: Vietnamese individuals traditionally believe that illnesses are due to disharmony and imbalance in the body of the humoral forces of âm/dương (yin/yang) and “hot” and “cold” properties in food, illness, and medication/treatment. As a Vietnamese person, I can attest to all the times my mother told me not to eat too many mangoes (my favorite!) when sick since they were “hot” foods. Check and reflect: Have any Vietnamese patients ever shared this with you during clinical interviews? What were your first thoughts when you heard it? How did you reply? Is there anything you could have done differently?

UPCOMING TRAINING/WEBINARS

The “Co-Creating Culturally Responsive Supervisory Spaces in Neuropsychology” webinar seriesplanned in collaboration among the Asian Neuropsychological Association (ANA), Society for Black Neuropsychology (SBN), Hispanic Neuropsychological Society (HNS), Queer Neuropsychological Society (QNS), Women in Neuropsychology (WIN), and Association of Neuropsychology Students in Training (ANST),  began with an amazing turn-out for the first webinar. This novel program consists of three webinar presentations. We invite you all to tune in for the last webinar. Please register here.

• Presentation 3:

Presenters: Anny Reyes, Ph.D., Ambar Perez Lao, M.S., Ashley Nguyen-Martinez, Psy.D., & Matthew Calamia, Ph.D.

Title: Navigating and Co-Creating Culturally Responsive Supervisory Spaces: Considerations for Trainees and Early Career Professionals

Date/Time: Wednesday, 11/8/2023, at 7pm EST | 6pm CST | 4pm PST

Save the date for Taquitos de Sesos, hosted by Baylor College of Medicine (https://form.jotform.com/200445927145050):

• 10/27/2023:Neuropathology for Neuropsychologists (Dr. Erin Bigler)
• 11/17/2023: Neuroimaging for Neuropsychologists: How to Increase Neuropsychological Test Interpretation Through Improved Understanding of Neuroimaging Findings (Dr. Erin Bigler)
• 01/26/2023: Structurally Competent Neuropsychological Practice: What Is It and Why Do We Need It? (Dr. Kendra Anderson)
• 02/23/2023: Neuropsychological Assessment of Vietnamese-Speaking Patients with Suspected Dementia (Dr. Stephen McCauley)

Dr. Kalli Feldman, Ph.D. will be speaking on “Race, Power, and Fragility in Adoptive Families: Korean Adoptees’ Appraisals of Parental Racial Socialization Strategies” as part of the ANA Education Committee’s monthly seminar. She will present her published research on transnational adoption and share her own personal reflections. The webinar will take place on 10/24/2023 at 5pm ET | 4pm CT | 2 PM PT. Register here.

Neuropsychology Internship Application Q&A: a live Q&A session with Drs. Suzanne Penna, Megan Kramer, Allison Shields, and Amanda Wisinger about internship applicationsco-hosted by AITCN and ANST on Thursday, October 12th at 4pm ET | 3pm CT | 1pm PT. Please email Dr. Wisinger directly at awisinger@ego.thechicagoschool.edu for the Zoom link.

CONFERENCES

The 42^nd Annual National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN) Conference takes place in Denver, Colorado this month between October 25 – 28. For more information please click here.

OPPORTUNITIES

New2Neuropsychology (N2N) is seeking applications to fill several open positions this fall! Applications are due 10/20/2023. Their website may be found here.

READ

Gornik, A. E., Northrup, R. A., Kalb, L. G., Jacobson, L. A., Lieb, R. W., Peterson, R. K., Wexler, D., Ludwig, N. N., Ng, R., & Pritchard, A. E. (2023). To confirm your appointment, please press one: Examining demographic and health system interface factors that predict missed appointments in a pediatric outpatient neuropsychology clinic. The Clinical neuropsychologist, 1–23. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2023.2219421

Kelly, J. F. (2022). Building a more equitable society: Psychology’s role in achieving health equity. American Psychologist, 77(5), 633–645. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001019

REPRESENTATION MATTERS

Don’t forget to vote for our new ANA board members! You should have received a link in your email to do this.

Our members continue to impress! Congratulations to our very own Maiko Sakamoto who was elected to the INS Board as the International Member at Large and to Jasdeep Hundal who was selected to be the next Secretary for NAN. In addition, Martin Woon achieved NAN fellow status, Kamini Krishnan received the NAN Nelson Butters Award for the best research published in the Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, and Alexander Tan for receiving the APA Early Career Psychologist Achievement Award. We are so proud of you all! And thank you to our very own Daryl Fujii for consistently keeping us apprised of these achievements.

LEGISLATION/POLICY AND RESOURCES: STAY IN THE KNOW

Student loan payments are back on! Don’t forget to check your status. Find information on how to make a payment here.

H.R.2474 (Strengthening  Medicare for Patients and Providers Act), a bill introduced to Congress and currently undergoing review and solicitation of constituent feedback. View the bill here. The proposed bill has significant implications for behavioral health care. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) annual Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposal this year:

1. Increases the work values for psychotherapy services but not for psychological and neuropsychological testing services and health behavior assessment & intervention services. This would lead to underfunding of these essential services and negatively impact access to neuropsychological care, particularly among the most underserved communities, including many Asian American communities.
2. The proposal would also restrict funding for Community Health Workers and Social Determinants of Health Assessments only to providers who can bill for Evaluation & Management Services. This would unnecessarily restrict the pool of providers who can offer needed population health services.

We encourage you to learn more about this bill and consider the implications of the bill for your practice and patient access to care. Learn more about advocacy opportunities relevant to this bill here.

H.R. 5408 / S. 2767 (SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act): Proposes to update the resource limit for supplemental security income eligibility to $10,000 for an individual and $20,000 for a couple and index the limits to inflation. This update can support many individuals with disabilities who have saved money for financial risk in emergencies but who may then become otherwise ineligible for SSI.  In addition to promoting financial security, the legislation would also fix the marriage penalty that exists in SSI.

Introduction of the Accelerating the Development of Advanced Psychology Trainees (ADAPT) Act. From APA: “In a significant step towards strengthening the psychology workforce across the United States, Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) and Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) introduced the Accelerating the Development of the Advanced Psychology Trainees (ADAPT) Act (S.2511) on July 26, 2023. The introduction of this legislation comes as the direct result of APA Services’ targeted advocacy work over the last 2 years… If passed, the ADAPT Act would establish Medicare coverage of behavioral health services provided by advanced psychology trainees by directing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop a Medicare modifier that would allow doctoral interns and postdoctoral residents to bill for behavioral healthcare services provided under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.”

To close, the advocacy committee also wants to wish the students applying to internships, postdoctoral positions, and new jobs good luck! We are rooting for you all!

In Solidarity,

Ashley Nguyen-Martinez on behalf of the ANA Advocacy Committee

———-

Chair: Julia Chen, PhD

Members: Iris Miao, PhD; Ashley Nguyen-Martinez, PsyD; Cardinal Do, MS; Jay Patel, PhD; Sofia Lesica, MA, Ananya Ruth Samuel, MA

Email: advocacy@the-ana.org

Website: https://www.the-ana.org/advocacy-committee

Our committee will be sending out regular bulletins highlighting recent events and advocacy efforts that we have been tracking. You can also find our updated resources as well as past Equity Bulletins on the ANA website. Feel free to email us at advocacy@the-ana.org with ideas/suggestions for future bulletins.